Tag Archives: Nevada

Texas State head coach Dennis Franchione wrapped up last Saturday’s game against Nevada and looked ahead to this Saturday’s clash with New Mexico during his weekly press conference inside the End Zone Complex.

On last Saturday — “We matched their physical play pretty well, which was important. We had some guys like Jason McLean and Justin Iwuji and Brian Lilly and Andy [Erickson] that really played well. We just have to make a few more plays and get a few more stops. Be a little more disciplined and little more focused on things to execute and do the things we need to do against a team like them.”

On going back to New Mexico — “It’s kind of special for me, obviously. I coached there for six years and still have lots of great memories and great friends there that we’re very close to and keep in contact with. We enjoyed our time there a great deal.”

On the Lobos — “They are doing a great job of running the football, draining the clock, keeping their defense off the field and giving themselves a chance to hang in there every game. They’ve gotten a couple wins and some confidence.”

At halftime of this afternoon’s game, Texas State holds a 21-20 lead over Nevada.

Senior quarterback Shaun Rutherford is playing well again. Rutherford completed 13 of his 16 passes in the first half for 121 yards and two touchdowns. It could have been three scores, but sophomore wide receiver Ben Ijah tripped up on a Wolf Pack cornerback late in the second quarter and the ball sailed long. No penalty was called, but the field judge did pull out a flag and put it back in his pocket.

For Texas State to pull this one out, it needs to do better than it ever has in the second. So far this season, the Bobcats have been outscored 43-17 after halftime, including a 34-14 deficit in the third quarter.

This is Bobcat Stadium, site of this afternoon’s game (Texas State photo).

If Texas State wants to cry ‘wolf’ today, it’s perfectly acceptable, as the Nevada Wolf Pack are in town for an afternoon tilt. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. inside Bobcat Stadium.

The Bobcats will have their hands full with Nevada, as the team features the nation’s leading rusher in Stefphon Jefferson and its coach is the godfather of the Pistol offense.

Texas State counters with its own version of the Pistol, running a spread-option look. The Bobcats hope to get sophomore running back Terrence Franks going early and that senior running back Marcus Curry is fully healthy once again.

Texas State head coach Dennis Franchione met with the media this afternoon to wrap up last week’s game with Stephen F. Austin and to look ahead to this week’s tilt against Nevada.

Here is a portion of what Franchione had to say.

On his team’s nine penalties for 101 yards against SFA — “We had some dumb penalties in the game. Six of them extended drives defensively and we need to cut back. Every time we extend a drive with a penalty, it seems like they score.”

On the growth of the offense — “We took some perimeter passing game shots that we weren’t good enough to do last year that we’re able to do this year. Sometimes last year, we would have just handed it off and tried to force it in there and they [senior running back Marcus Curry and sophomore running back Terrence Franks] would have got more carries, but a little tougher sledding. This year we’re able to take advantage of things with our offense when they overcrowd the box.”

On any quarterback controversy — “You can put it to rest. Shaun Rutherford is our starting quarterback.”

On Nevada — “This is a Top 25 team. There are now flaws in this offense.”